Wilmette Theatre's Actors Training Center to Present 13, 7/13-14

The Actors Training Center at the Wilmette Theatre, 1122 Central Ave., will present 13, the Broadway pop-rock musical about growing up, as part of "in a limited engagement on Saturday, July 13 at 2:00 p.m., and Sunday, July 14 at 2:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. The production is part of their "Performance Playhouse" series and directed by Jeff Award winner Janet Louer, Musical Theater Director of the Actors Training Center.

Hailed as a "funny, exciting love letter to childhood" by Los Angeles's Splash Magazine, 13 is a show for all ages about "labels that last a lifetime" and discovering that "cool" is sometimes where you least expect it. When his parents get divorced and he's forced to move from New York to small-town Indiana, Evan Goldman just wants to fit in and survive the school year-which is easier said than done. The star quarterback is threatening to ruin his life, his only friend at school won't talk to him, and someone is spreading nasty rumors throughout his school. Evan has to make a choice between true friendship and being popular, ultimately learning the true meaning of growing up and being a loyal friend. The production features an energetic pop-rock score by Tony Award-winning composer Jason Robert Brown, along with a book by Dan Elish and Robert Horn.

13 stars Kevin Parra as "Evan," Elita Ernsteen as "Patrice," Frankie Nayman as "Archie," Liam Oh as "Brett," Carley Pierce as "Kendra," Nicole Karkazis as "Lucy," Gracie Nayman as "Charlotte," Seth Steinberg as "Eddie," Samuel Crawford-Cloonan as "Richie/Simon," Phoebe Rudnick as "Molly," and Megan Delaney as "Cassie." The production also stars Sarah Africk, Jessica Eudy, Haley Noll, Miranda Radtke, Annika Simon, Faith Stineman, and Mackenzie Wilikin.

The not-for-profit Wilmette Theatre is the premiere multi-arts and performance center anchoring the downtown Wilmette business district by providing vibrant entertainment, education and enrichment for the community.

ATC Production's mission is to provide an educational integration of cultural, historical and social issues through live theater. The Actors Training Center at the Wilmette Theatre offers professional, process-driven classes for actors from Kindergarten through 12th grade as well as adults. K-12 students at The Actors Training Center at the Wilmette Theatre are able to take classes to develop skills in dramatic acting, improv and sketch comedy, physical theater and musical theater. Adult classes include Actor's Essentials, Improv, On-Camera Technique and more. Scholarships are available.

The performance schedule for 13 is Saturday, July 13 at 2:00 p.m., and Sunday, July 14 at 2:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. The theater is located steps away from the Wilmette Metra Station. Tickets are $15 and can be purchased by calling the Box Office at 847.251.7424, or visiting www.wilmettetheatre.com.

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